Sweet & Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds « Reply #30 on Oct 10, 2009, 9:16pm »
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
1 tbsp Margarine, melted 1 tbsp raw, organic granulated sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to taste) 2-6 dashes hot pepper sauce (optional) 1 cup pumpkin seeds, rinsed well, pumpkin pulp removed, patted dry with paper towel
1. Preheat the oven to 300° F 2. Combine the melted margarine, sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne and hot pepper sauce in a medium bowl. Stir in the pumpkin seeds until well-coated. 3. Place the seeds on a shallow baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, turning from every 10 minutes, until nicely browned and crunchy.
Re: What's Cookin' Good-lookin'! « Reply #31 on Oct 11, 2009, 8:08am »
Cranberry Pecan Coleslaw
1 cup mayonnaise or mayonnaise-type dressing 1 tsp sea salt 1/4 cup low-fat, organic milk 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 pkg coleslaw mix 1 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted pecans 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt, milk and vinegar. Add remaining ingredients and toss to coat. Chill, if desired, or serve at room temperature.
Make Your Own Vanilla Extract « Reply #32 on Oct 21, 2009, 6:27pm »
Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
By Marye Audet, Planet Green
Not many people think about making homemade vanilla extract. It isn’t difficult to do at all and takes only a few supplies. The most difficult part of the process is waiting for it to age to perfection, which will take a few months. Why should you make your own vanilla? The benefits are astounding:
* More intense flavor * Unique blends * Less expensive * Fun * Be self sustaining * You know what is in it * It makes great gifts
Did I mention cheap?
The main ingredients in basic homemade vanilla are vodka (or other high proof alcohol) and vanilla beans. You can use a variety of vanilla beans to create a more complex flavor, and use organic if you like.
Varieties of Vanilla Beans
* Madagascar - the strongest, most intense vanilla flavor, with full a body * Bourbon - notes of berry and ripe fruit * Mexican - sweet and smooth, mellow and spicy * Tahitian - delicate, exotic, floral * Tonga - rich, full flavored * Indonesian - sweet and woody * India - higher percentage of seeds, sweet, woody, spicy
There are even more vanilla bean varieties that that. Commercial manufacturers usually use the Bourbon or the Tahitian bean for extract. Look at all the flavor you could be missing!
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
The process couldn’t be simpler. You need:
* Quart Mason jar * Lid and screw down ring * 2 cups vodka * 6 vanilla beans
1. Cut the beans in half lengthwise. 2. Add the beans to the jar. 3. Cover with the Vodka. 4. Store in a cool, dark place and shake every couple of days for at least a month. The longer you let it stand the more intense the flavor will be. I like mine to go at least six weeks. When it is just how you like it, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into dark bottles and seal tightly.
Variations
* Add a few buds of edible lavender. * Add a whole clove. * Add part of a a cinnamon stick. * Add a teaspoon of brandy per eight ounces. You can also make the vanilla in brandy or rum for a different flavor.
You can vary the flavor of your vanilla by using different combinations of beans or adding another spice during storage.
How to Use Homemade Vanilla
You are going to use your homemade vanilla extract just like the commercial variety, measure for measure. You may find that you need a little less because of the flavor, or you may just get used to having the most amazing desserts on the block.
For gift giving, label the dark bottles with a custom made label. More than likely your friends will be knocking at your door for more as soon as they have used the last drop.
Where to Buy Vanilla Beans
You can buy vanilla beans almost anywhere but you probably won’t find much of a selection. Here are some Internet sites that carry a variety of beans, as well as organically grown beans:
Boston Vanilla Beans Beanilla The Spice House Penzey’s Spices
Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment and dedicated to helping people understand how humans impact the planet and how to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Its two robust websites, http://www.planetgreen.com and http://www.TreeHugger.com, offer original, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green is a division of Discovery Communications.
Re: What's Cookin' Good-lookin'! « Reply #33 on Dec 23, 2009, 9:41pm »
MOIST BANANA BREAD
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 organic, free-range egg 1 cup mashed organic bananas (about 2 bananas) 1 cup organic sugar 1/4 cup organic butter, melted and cooled 1/4 - 1/2 cup crushed walnuts (optional)
1. Stir together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside. 2. In another bowl, combine bananas and sugar. 3. Add the egg and butter and blend. 4. Add the wet ingredients to dry, and mix just until moistened. Do not over-mix. 5. Pour into greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan.*** Sprinkle crushed walnuts on top, if desired. 6. Bake at 325 F for 55-60 minutes. 7. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
*** Or spoon into greased muffin tins or muffin tins lined with paper muffin cups.
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